RSVP: So we know to look for you! Jeanette jbwardhmb@gmail.com 650-954-7476
When: Wednesday Oct 19 10 - 12 AM
Where: Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve Upper Strawberry Canyon Trail. We will meet at the small parking lot on Grizzly Peak (middle picture) - just south of the junction of Centennial Dr and Grizzly Peak. See below for more detail.
Open to: Members & volunteers and their guests
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Nature Walk: Upper Strawberry Canyon Trail
Description: Bring your sense of adventure and some patience for the parking, to this hike that hasn't been on our list for several years. Please come early to allow time for parking. Sorry, there are no restrooms.
This is an out and back! A wide dirt trail (fire road) traverses the Berkeley hills through Oak, Bay, Eucalyptus, and Chaparral. After a short couple of declines ( poles might be good here), the trail levels out and traverses the west-facing slopes below Grizzly Peak Blvd, high above the Cal campus. On a clear day the view of the campus, the city of Berkeley, the Bay, and the Golden Gate to the Pacific Ocean is spectacular. At 1.5 miles we can turn around and return to the trailhead. Those with more energy can walk an extra ½ mile or so, which tends more downhill on a gentle slope.
Where to meet: See pictures and How to get there (next paragraph)! Meet at the tiny dirt parking lot (middle picture) on the west side of Grizzly Peak Blvd, just about 25 yds south of the intersection with Centennial Drive. From here we walk through the UC Space Sciences property(permit parking only) to the trailhead for the hike.
How to get there: From Berkeley - From University Ave at Oxford, turn left onto Oxford and proceed to Hearst, turn Right. Go up Hearst and turn Right on Gayley Road. Turn Left at Stadium Rim Road. At the top of the hill, turn left onto Centennial Road. Turn right/south onto Grizzly Peak Blvd and immediately turn right into a small dirt parking area (middle picture) where we'll meet. Some can park just south of the small parking lot on Grizzly and there is some parking available on the other side of Grizzly Peak Blvd. Additional parking on Golf Course Rd. (lower picture) as you come up Centennial Road, it becomes Golf Course Road at Grizzly Peak Blvd., and the parking area is on the right a few yard up Golf Course Rd. You would need to carefully cross Grizzly Peak to join us at the tiny dirt parking lot. Carpooling recommended. Please come early to allow time for parking. Please watch out for the road drop off levels if you park on Grizzly.
What to bring: Good walking shoes, layered clothing for variable weather, hat, water, windbreaker, snacks. Hiking poles are always a good idea to help with stability on declines and to propel oneself on the inclines. Good idea to bring a cell phone.
If you are not vaxed and boosted you must wear a mask.